Device to aid in the recycling of plastic bags by inserting them into used consumer liquid products containers for compact storage and transport

ABSTRACT

A device for inserting plastic bags into empty consumer product&#39;s container, such as soda bottles in which to bottle A is secured to the base B of the device, a small chamber C is secured to the top of the bottle. A wadded-up plastic bag is placed into the chamber. A plunger D, on a leveraging arm E is positioned at the other end of the chamber and with the forward motion of the leveraging arm, the plunger is forced through the chamber pushing the plastic bag into the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The main proponent of plastic bags in the United States is the American Chemistry Council. At their web site, http://www.plasticbagrecycling.org/plasticbag/index.html, they encourage the recycling of plastic bags by the placement of large bins at the entrance of participating retail stores. Because of their low weight to volume ration, a few pounds of bags can occupy several cubic yards of space.

Consumers wishing to recycle plastic bags, stuff numerous plastic bags into a single plastic bag until it is full. The resulting assemblage is bulky and does not have any structure to stack for storage, making it inconvenient to store and transport to market. The bags thus deposited at retail stores occupy a significantly large footprint that could more efficiently be used for retail space. The bins must be emptied often to even larger bins in the back of the store that occupy even more space. As a result of the effort and cost involved, only large chains can afford to participate in the recycling program.

In addition, where communities separate refuse at refuse separation centers, plastic bags are rarely processed, and often get trapped in the conveyer belts, which increases maintenance costs. In general, they are considered a nuisance. Only a small percent of plastic bags are ever recycled. Most end up in land fills.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

My invention is a device for packing large amounts of used plastic consumer shopping bags into used empty consumer product containers such as plastic soda bottles for easy storage and transport to recycling centers.

The device consists of a means of securing an empty consumer product's container such as a soda bottle, a chamber into which a wadded up plastic bag is placed and a plunging mechanism for forcing the bag into the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the drawing, an empty consumer product's container, such as a soda bottle A, is secured to the base B of the device, a small chamber C is secured to the top of the bottle, and a wadded up plastic bag is placed into the chamber. A plunger D, on a leveraging arm E is positioned over the chamber and with the downward motion of the leveraging arm, the plunger is forced through the chamber, pushing the plastic bag into the container. To aid in removing air from the bag, the plunger may contain pins or other sharp points.

Full containers can then be easily stored and transported for recycling.

SUMMARY, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

Any way to increase the recycling of plastic bags will have a double benefit, the reuse of a basic resource and the lessening of the use of landfills. The process starts in the home and office and ends at a recycling plant. All along the way, there are savings in storage, handling and transportation costs for the homeowner, retail store and recycling industry. 

1. A device for inserting plastic bags into a liquid product container comprising: a means of securing said container, a chamber for holding one or more of said bags on or adjacent to the opening of said container and a plunger for forcing said bags into said container. Dependent claims The devices of claim 1 where a pivoting arm is used to provide leveraging force to said plunger. The device of claim 1 where said plunger's movement is driven by a motor. The device of claim 1 where said plunger contains a sharp point to pierce said bags. 